44 | M&R Forestland Management T T Karen Phelps Women forging ahead in forestry M&R Forestland environmental manager, Anna Batty, was presented with the Outstanding Environmental Management Award at the 2024 Top of the South Forestry Awards. “Anna’s and Siobhan’s awards are so richly deserved, and they bring huge credit to the whole team at M&R Forestland.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Two women from M&R Forestland Management have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the forestry sector, highlighting the growing influence of female professionals in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. At the 2024 Top of the South Forestry Awards, Anna Batty and Siobhan Allen took home significant honours, bringing considerable recognition to their Blenheim-based company. “We’re really stoked, and so proud of them,” says Kyle Heagney, M&R Forestland’s co-owner and general manager. “Anna’s and Siobhan’s awards are so richly deserved, and they bring huge credit to the whole team at M&R Forestland.” Anna, who is the firm’s environmental manager, was presented with the Outstanding Environmental Management Award, sponsored by Tasman District Council. This accolade recognises individuals or companies that go above and beyond general compliance with environmental management rules and regulations within the forestry industry. Siobhan, a director and part-owner of the company, claimed the Women in Forestry Award against strong competition. This recognition celebrates female professionals who demonstrate excellence across a range of skills beyond best practice guidelines in any area of the timber industry. Kyle says the recognition of Anna and Siobhan underscores the vital role women are playing in transforming and innovating within New Zealand’s forestry sector. M&R Forestland Management has established itself as a leading forestry management firm in New Zealand over the past 25 years. The company underwent a significant transformation in 2019 when its American owners, Merrill and Ring of the Pacific Northwest, sold off both its forestry assets and management rights. The management rights were purchased by Siobhan Allen, Kyle Heagney and Patrick Wilkins, who re-formed the business as M&R Forestland. M&R Forestland Management describes its services as ‘forestry made simple’, offering advice on every aspect from land purchase to harvesting and marketing of logs. It has invested heavily in technology and independently verified processes to maximise each forest’s efficiency and accuracy, alongside health and safety and environmental performance. It has recently increased its log production by 50,000 tonnes to an impressive 400,000 tonnes across its 32,000 hectares of managed forests nationwide. The company boasts a full-time staff of 15 tertiary-qualified professionals covering all specialties of modern forest management. Based in Blenheim’s Batty’s Road, the company manages forests for a diverse range of clients across both the North and South islands. Notable clients include the 5500-hectare Marlborough Regional Forestry holding in the Koromiko area, owned by the Marlborough and Kaikoura district councils, the Marberry Estate owned by the Australian-based New Forest company, and Rimu Forestland, which owns redwood forests in North Canterbury’s Hundalee Hills, and in the King Country near Taumarunui. “Whatever aspect of forestry or forestland management advice people need, we can make the process easier and more profitable for them,” says Kyle. “No matter what stage they are at with their forestry investmen - from buying bare land prior to planting a forest, or harvesting their mature trees - we can help them make the best decision with independent, honest advice and our wealth of expertise and experience,” he says. To contact us, Phone 03 544 8360 or Email info@sdtrans.co.nz
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